How bad is it Really???

[Lawn Dart]

I've been looking through the threads around here and it seems like the market for a professional pilot is pretty slim... is this a correct assumption... I mean I know its not the easiest profession to get into but if you get your hours up there and put some effort into looking around, not just localy, but the country.. couldn't a guy find a career somewhere making an ok pay?

I know your supposed to fly because its like no other thing but it would be nice to get paid for it too right.

Another quick question...

I had started out going to the U of M for aerospace engineering and working through the Marine Corps officers program and figured I'd fly in the military until some unexpected ankle problems threw that out of the mix... long story short.. I swithed to a degree in genetics and have 2 years left on that.... but in the back of my mind all I keep telling myself is I want to fly... I had started when I was younger... got too expensive and did the ROTC thing and here I am...looking at going to school for aviation now..

Any input??

Thanks for listening to my little story

 

[SkyBoy1981]

If flying is really what you want to do, then go for it. No one knows what this industry will be like a year or even 6 months from now.

 

[Goose Egg]

You just have to ask yourself if you'd be happier flying or doing something else.

In other words, are you in it for the flying? Or are you looking for riches and glamour? Because you'll never get rich flying, and it is far from glamorous. The sooner you realize that, the better off you are.

I wouldn't trade flying for anything. I'm dirt poor but I'm happy.

-Goose

 

[psysicx]

Its not as bad a people say it is.

 

[Tweaker]

goose egg said it well.

If there is even a substantial motivation for a flying career other than
the flying itself, you will definitely BE DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED; enough that you should do something else.


I personally can't think of anything I would rather do, especially enough to go back to school for it. Things suck in the industry, & I don't think the past major airline salaries are sustainable and will NEVER RETURN. That being said, you can make >$100K and enjoy your job. Just don't have unrealistic expectations, live within your means (not easy to do the first 10 years) and never forget this fact. For every person who makes their living in a cockpit there are at least 20 people who say they always wanted to be a pro pilot. As bad as things seem and are, I always remember how lucky I am to not have to wonder about that for the rest of my life as I fight the 9 to 5 traffic to get to my cubicle and endure office politics etc. etc.
Think hard and good luck.

Here's an idea, get your unrelated degree, and your pilot training, then give flying a shot. The field of your bachelor's does not matter, and you can immediately get a fresh start in your other field.

 

[satpak77]

No one knows what this industry will be like a year or even 6 months from now.

actually I privately have a pretty good idea what state the industry will be in a year from now

 

[FlyJordan]

actually I privately have a pretty good idea what state the industry will be in a year from now

do share

 

[msuspartans24]

goose egg said it well.

If there is even a substantial motivation for a flying career other than
the flying itself, you will definitely BE DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED; enough that you should do something else.


I personally can't think of anything I would rather do, especially enough to go back to school for it. Things suck in the industry, & I don't think the past major airline salaries are sustainable and will NEVER RETURN. That being said, you can make >$100K and enjoy your job. Just don't have unrealistic expectations, live within your means (not easy to do the first 10 years) and never forget this fact. For every person who makes their living in a cockpit there are at least 20 people who say they always wanted to be a pro pilot. As bad as things seem and are, I always remember how lucky I am to not have to wonder about that for the rest of my life as I fight the 9 to 5 traffic to get to my cubicle and endure office politics etc. etc.
Think hard and good luck.

Here's an idea, get your unrelated degree, and your pilot training, then give flying a shot. The field of your bachelor's does not matter, and you can immediately get a fresh start in your other field.

Very well said Tweaker.

 

[EatSleepFly]

do share

He said PRIVATELY.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

How bad is it really?

That depends on who you are talking too. To somebody that has only been in the airline business from say the late 90's or so, it probably is not too bad. If you talk to someone who knows how it used to be before the RJ's outnumbered the mainlines, it is pretty bad.

It is a relative thing. There are still jobs out there that you can make a decent living at. But gone are the days of the airline pilot of old. No more will a flying career buy you the nice cars, boats, and personal airplanes that the previous generation had.

If your motivation is based on the lifestyle of the past generation, do not bother. If you like to fly and don't care if you ever buy a new car or home, then go for it.

Bottom line, as a pilot you will probably do as well as your peers from high school and college, but don't expect to be the high earner from your class! In fact two of my old high school buds out earns any regional Captain in the country with zero college education. Their professions are Window and Door contractor and installer, and soft drink plant manager.

My prediction for the future? At least for the next five years we will continue to see falling pay and benefits and the death of some of the biggest names in the business. In the long term, pilot wages and benifits will probably level out at about 100k for Captian at a major and 65k or so for the F/O at a major airline(In 2005 dollars). I doubt anything more than that will be sustainable with what passengers are willing to pay for transportation.

At least that is what my majic 8 ball says!!